May 2000 - Exitzine.com Album of the Month
A couple of nights ago, I went to pop in this CD, only to realize it was missing. Though I had only had it a week, I thought I would go crazy if I couldn't find it. I went downstairs and searched my car thinking it might have fallen out of my CD box. I searched the living room, my bedroom, and even the bathroom in desperation.
Terror, horrible terror struck my heart as I realized that I might have lost the album--and then I would have to wait nine agonizingly long days to buy this disc at the record store. At this point, I started to pray, as I couldn't imagine life without these catchy space-pop songs.
I then searched my CD rack one more time, and there it was! I had simply overlooked it earlier. It was at this moment that I realized how extraordinary this album is.
How can I describe it? Emotional space-pop or maybe Astro-rock would be good monikers for it. But whatever you call it, the melodies are catchy and memorable, the vocals are pure Roper, the arrangements are lush and layered, and the concept is . . . epic.
Musically, this is a very different direction from the ska-influenced music of Five Iron Frenzy. BSS music is driven by Reese Roper on electric guitar, Dennis Culp on both acoustic and electric guitar, and Keith Hoerig on bass. The arrangements are (of course) sans horns, but in their places are layers of programming, sampling, studio drummers, keyboards, strings, turntables, even accordion.
The obvious theme on the album is the wonder of space. When I listened to this album (this is also in light of All the Hype's references to Ray Bradbury's book Fahrenheit 451), I couldn't help but be reminded of Bradbury's book, The Martian Chronicles. One of Bradbury's lines in particular describes this theme well...
"It is good to renew one's wonder," said the philosopher.
"Space travel has made children of us all."
This theme is displayed throughout So Far From Home, with NASA sound clips, songs about robots, and of course, the album art that tells the story of "The Saturn 3 Mission."
Yet, there is a deeper theme that lies below the surface of the space metaphors--it is the expression of pain and the darkest of emotions. It can be heard in songs like "Independence Day" (a song that discusses the day that Reese's ex broke up with him) and "Two-Twenty-Nine." (February 29th was the day that his grandmother died. One memorable line from this song is, "in a world of dying children, rain never seems to cease.")
Yet in the songs that are seemingly so dark, there is also hope. The hope is from God, and is shown by the use of what I might call a "pivot point" that takes the listener from the point of seeming despair to praise. (This is the same technique that David used in many of his lament Psalms.)
But don't let the emotional depth of this album get you down, because there is one song that breaks up the seriousness with some of the old, goofy, FIF-ish fun. "Shadow of Def" is a fun pseudo-rap song that features DJ Roper and "Frankie T." (record label founder Frank Tate) rapping about the meaning of Five Minute Walk.
Some of the other memorable songs on this album include "Rocketown" (a cover of the Michael W. Smith song that fits this album well), "Resistor," and especially, "Under Bridges."
"Under Bridges" is one of those songs so special that it is hard to even begin to express the heart of it. The revelatory thought behind this song can be found in Matthew 25:34-40, where it talks about how, when we give a person a cup of water or meet some other physical need, it is as if we are ministering to Jesus himself. Musically, this song is downright glorious in its sense of movement, especially in the crescendo with the sound clip from the Apollo 8 mission, before the chorus of wonderful praise. I think this song will most likely be the best Christian song of 2000. This album has been described as being the "dark side" of Five Iron Frenzy. After about 20 listens, I'm not sure if I agree with that description anymore. Yes, there is darkness--but, oh my, there is hope!
Praise God that Roper, Hoerig, and Culp were given the opportunity to release this album!
4.5/5
Other coverage for this album
7ball #31Reviewed by David MuttilloOn the surface, BraveSaintSaturn appears to be Keith Hoerig, Reese Roper and Dennis Culp's best chance at rocketing light years away from their day job band, Five Iron Frenzy. Let's face it, the whole ska-core genre can be quite limiting, musically speaking. Nevertheless - though this semi-conceptual album isn't infused with happy-feet-beats, like most FIF material - the lion's share of its songs…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksBrave Saint Saturn's So Far From Home is one of the most interesting and provocative albums I've heard in a while. Perhaps it's because Brave Saint Saturn isn't bound by the usual responsibilities that hinder artists--namely the need to be successful. Brave Saint Saturn is a side project from three members of Five Iron Frenzy, Reese Roper, Dennis Culp, and Keith Hoerig. Perhaps the fact that…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Amy SondovaRaw emotion, an eclectic musical mix, and cutting lyrics all come together to make "Brave Saint Saturn" a shockingly stellar album. Produced by mixmaster Masaki Liu, who produced all of FIF's albums, BSS could easily be one of the most standout albums of the year. Chief songwriter and lead singer Reese Roper tackles tough issues that Christian music has overlooked. "Under Bridges" is a song about…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerThere are probably a lot of expectations for Brave Saint Saturn, Reese Roper, Keith Hoerig and Dennis Culp's side project. Those who are familiar with Roper and Culp from the popular Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy may be expecting a sound similar to that band, with upbeat chords and horns. Consumers who see the album cover and the band's name in the store may think of space-rock in the vein…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Chelsea LewisWhen Five Iron Frenzy's lead singer and lyricist Reese Roper started writing songs that didn't fit the usual Five Iron music style, Brave Saint Saturn was born. The side project was created by Roper as an outlet for his thoughts on subjects he thought too dark and emotional for Five Iron Frenzy. The songs deal with tragedy, sorrow, and the hardships of the world. His Five Iron Frenzy band mates…Similar sounding releases
1996NewsboysTake Me To Your Leader
1999Audio AdrenalineUnderdog
1998DC TalkSupernatural
2002Bleeding CharityLetters from a Dormitory Misfit
1999SwitchfootNew Way To Be Human
1999SonicFloodSonicFlood
